Their Playground

Chapter 13

"You . . . what?" Kim's mother smiled uncertainly, hoping she had misheard.

"I'm going to South Carolina," Kim repeated, though less confidently than the first time.

"Hon, I don't think that's possible," Mr. Foster said softly. "You're already enrolled in community college here in North Carolina. We want nothing more than to send you to whatever school your heart desires, you know that. But I'm afraid we simply can't afford an out-of-state school right now."

"No." Kim shook her head. "Not for college. Just for a trip. For . . . personal reasons. I won't be gone long, I promise. Only for a week or two. I can pay for it with the money I saved up from work." Kim almost laughed when she found herself parroting Sarah's arguments, but she managed to hold in her laughter. "Please let me do this."

"I don't know, honey," Mrs. Foster faltered.

"Oh, let's let her do this, Darla," Mr. Foster said. "We couldn't send her on the Europe graduation trip, so why not let her go to South Carolina to make up for it? Besides," he quipped, "she's practically an adult now. We can't really tell her what to do anymore."

"Sarah's going with me," Kim added, utilizing her mother's firm belief that safety always lies in numbers.

"Alright," Mrs. Foster finally relented after a long consideration. "But you must be very, very careful while you're away."

"I will. Thank you, Mom." Kim leaned forward and kissed her mother's cheek. "You're the best."

"Oh, don't try to butter me up," Mrs. Foster said gruffly, but she was smiling fondly at her daughter.

Kim called Sarah up as soon as they arrived home. It was, after all, big news.

"Hey, Miss Graduate," Sarah greeted, answering immediately. "Or should I say, Miss Cole's Girlfriend?"

Kim blushed. "Oh, shut up, Sarah. I'm so mad at you for that, by the way! You almost ruined the moment!"

"But I didn't!" Kim could envision Sarah's cheeky smile.

"Anyways." Kim took a deep breath. "I've got some exciting news, Sarah."

"What is it?" her friend asked eagerly.

"Well," Kim paused. "I'm not so sure I want to tell you after what happened at graduation today . . . "

"Oh my gosh, Kim, I'm sorry, okay? I watched you guys kissing from afar, so it worked out okay in the end. Tell me already!"

Kim never understood Sarah's logic, but she smiled anyways. "We," she said, "are going to South Carolina."

* * *

The day before she embarked on her trip, Kim found herself at the old playground where she had first met Thomas.

It was strange being there, since she hadn't been to their playground in a couple of years, at least. But she had certainly missed it.

It was all as she had remembered it. An overwhelming wave of nostalgia hit her and for some reason, her eyes grew moist.

"Hi, Thomas," Kim said, as if he were a part of the playground and could hear her talking. "I miss you. It's been too long.

"I know, I know. It's entirely my fault that we haven't talked in such a long time. But I'm going to make it up to you." She paused.

"I'm coming to see you."